Call the bums. Write the bums. Let them know in no uncertain terms that you hold them accountable for averting break-the-bank subway, bus and commuter line fare hikes.

Doomsday has arrived for mass transit in New York. Forced into a corner by cynics and cowards in the Legislature, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is scheduled this morning to approve increases of historic and destructive proportions.

The MTA has no choice. It's dead broke. Action in Albany is the only hope for moderating the hikes, preventing the shutdown of subway and bus lines and maintaining the system in good working order.

But in the Senate, Democrats and Republicans alike have abdicated all responsibility to serve the millions of their constituents who rely on mass transit - as well as to preserve New York's economic health.

Desperate to avoid hard decisions, they concocted what they said was a plan to spare everyone pain - except Smith's numbers didn't come close to adding up.

Across the aisle, Republican Minority Leader Dean Skelos has offered not a single constructive suggestion for addressing the most critical issue of the day. Instead, he has made a game of letting the Democrats stew - with the public paying the price.

It's time to get in their faces, big-time. As Mayor Bloomberg put it yesterday: "When you see what's going to happen to your commuting costs, you should call your state legislators and say, 'I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore.'"

You'll find contact numbers for some of the key players in the front of today's Daily News. Call the bums. Write the bums. It's the only hope.